Patiala: A group of youths was attacked outside the residence of PPCC chief Capt Amarinder Singh here today. One of those injured was taken to the Government Rajindra Hospital.The Azaad Group, comprising college students, had reached the place apparently to join the Congress ahead of the Assembly polls when car-borne armed men attacked them with swords, rods, bottles and stones.Local MLA Preneet Kaur alleged that the attack was carried out by Akali supporters in connivance with the SHO concerned to prevent the group from joining the Congress.

Preneet said, “Some of the police officials have been handpicked by the halqa incharge to foment trouble and disrupt the Congress campaign. I spoke to DGP Suresh Arora and SSP Gurmeet Chouhan and told both to stop the local police from acting at the behest of the Akalis.”SP (City) Satinder Atwal said the police had rounded up three persons and impounded a Tempo loaded with rods, stones and bottles. He said the statements of the suspects were being recorded and a case would be registered accordingly.
On the allegations against SAD leaders, Atwal said all aspects of the case would be probed.
Harpal Juneja, son of Bhagwan Das Juneja — the SAD’s halqa incharge — said the allegations were baseless. “When the youths clashed during the Youth Congress elections, the party leaders had tried to blame us. We have nothing to do with this incident,” he claimed.